Friday, July 5, 2013

TSA Week in Review: 30 Firearms Discovered This Week (27 Were Loaded)

30Firearms
Discovered This Week – Of the 30 firearms, 27 were loaded and eight had
rounds chambered. See a complete list and more photos at the bottom of this
post.

Starter Pistol (BWI)

On
Your Mark…
- A starter pistol loaded with six blanks was discovered in a carry-on bag at
Baltimore (BWI). Sure it shoots blanks, but it looks like the real deal, makes
a loud bang, and could cause a lot of angst if somebody pulled it out in the
cabin of an aircraft, which TSA cannot permit.

Inert
Ordnance and Grenades etc. - We continue to find inert hand grenades and other
weaponry on a weekly basis. Please keep in mind that if an item looks like a
realistic bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited - real or not. When these
items are found at a checkpoint or in checked baggage, they can cause
significant delays in checkpoint screening. I know they are cool novelty items,
but you cannot bring them on a plane. Read here and here on why
inert items cause problems.

Flashbang Grenade (PDX)

M60 Igniter (SAN)

Ten
live/inert/novelty/replica grenades were discovered this week. Six were
discovered in carry-on bags at Seattle (SEA), Dallas (DAL), Las Vegas (LAS),
Honolulu (HNL), Phoenix (PHX), and Portland (PDX). The other four were
discovered in checked bags at Akron Canton (CAK), Las Vegas (LAS), Washington
Dulles (IAD), and San Jose (SJC). The grenade at PDX was a live flashbanggrenade and the
grenade at IAD was a live smoke grenade.

Two
battery-charged initiators were discovered in a carry-on bag at Minneapolis
(MSP).

An
empty M60 igniter was discovered on a key ring at San Diego (SAN). Pro Tip –
While these do make interesting key rings, they can also be used in harmful
way. So… best not to bring them.

Battery-Charged Detonator (MSP)

Stun Guns Discovered at (L-R) LAS, MCO, MDW, MDW, SMF, BNA, BOI

Stun
Guns
–14 stun guns were discovered this week in carry-on bags around the nation. Two
were discovered at Denver (DEN), two more were discovered at Chicago Midway
(MDW), and the others were found at Nashville (BNA), Boise (BOI), Columbia
(CAE), Detroit (DTW), Northwest Florida Beaches (ECP), Las Vegas (LAS),
Orlando (MCO), Phoenix
(PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Sacramento (SMF).

Items in the Strangest Places –It’s important to
examine your bags prior to traveling to ensure no prohibited items are inside.
If a prohibited item is discovered in your bag, you could be cited and quite
possibly arrested by local law enforcement. Here are a few examples from this
week where prohibited items were found in strange places.

A
credit card knife was discovered at Los Angeles (LAX).

Credit Card Knife (LAX)

What Not to Say at an Airport – Statements like
these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience many
other passengers if the checkpoint or terminal has to be evacuated:

While
checking his bag at Philadelphia (PHL) a passenger stated: “Take care of my
bag, it might blow up.”

Unfortunately
these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about
these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are
finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the
throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up
with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. The passenger can face a
penalty as high as $7,500.00. This is a friendly reminder to please
leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an
individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law
enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had
these items.

*In
order to provide a timely weekly update, I compile my data from a preliminary
report. The year-end numbers will vary slightly (increase) from what I report
in the weekly updates. However, any monthly, midyear, or end-of-year numbers
TSA provides on this blog or elsewhere will not be estimates.

50 comments:

Anonymous
said...

How many of these "discovered" items were the result of TSA conducting drills on its checkpoints? Given the high volume and the low press coverage of these incidents, it seems dubious that these are all actual threats. The fact that your reports only show that your people found them and provide no context behind that, makes it unclear as to whether or not these are something to be concerned about. For all we know, these are just the drills that TSA is conducting publicized to justify its existence.

God bless the TSA as we celebrate our Independence. Because of their selfless sacrifice, we may safely celebrate many more. Their professional Officers represent the very best of American values. To the critics: opposition is always a sign you're on the right track.

I find it really hard to understand why anyone would board an airplane with a loaded weapon, round chambered. Do you realize how disastrous it would be if that weapon were to discharge at 34,000 feet and exit through the fuselage much less a hit fellow passenger or a child on board or while in the airport terminal? What are you gun owners thinking? Or not thinking? I respect the right to legally own and carry a weapon. I have a concealed carry permit. I also expect gun owners to be responsible for gun safety. This type of irresponsibility in gun control gives all a black eye.

I agree with the one person who posted the comment regarding context of the finds. It would be great and illuminating to know if many of these were training related. If there are this many idiots on the planet that would be good to know as well.........

Why aren't the hand held metal detecting wands used anymore? I flew from an airport that only had the walk through metal detectors and I happened to set it off. That forced me to receive a full body pat down that seemed excessive. I guess you guys call it "meeting resistance" but it was very invasive.

If you used the hand held metal detectors, you could have figured out what the problem was without touching highly sensitive areas. Also, it would have told me what was setting off the metal detector so I could avoid wearing that in the future.

Anon sez - "So, how many of these items were found in checked luggage? How many items were confiscated due to not being properly declared? Key word being " properly"."

I do not have a breakdown on those numbers, but the majority I have seen are encountered at the checkpoint in carryon baggage (that is not a scientific response, merely an observation based on my personal experience in our checkpoints). As for "properly declared", any of our readers that are interested in transporting firearms in checked luggage with them when they fly, please visit our page here for the published rules on how to do so:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

Thanks and I hope this can provide some clarity for those wishing to take their firearms in their travels.

"To the critics: opposition is always a sign you're on the right track."

This is a logical fallacy, and one so easy to debunk as well. For instance, I say the TSA is security theater. Your opposition to that view would mean, by your logic, that I am on the right track with my view. Clearly you do not mean to say this, so, the above statement is false. (And even if you agree with me, the statement is still false. Opposition means squat.)

GSOLTSO said...Anon sez - "So, how many of these items were found in checked luggage? How many items were confiscated due to not being properly declared? Key word being " properly"."

I do not have a breakdown on those numbers, but the majority I have seen are encountered at the checkpoint in carryon baggage (that is not a scientific response, merely an observation based on my personal experience in our checkpoints). As for "properly declared", any of our readers that are interested in transporting firearms in checked luggage with them when they fly, please visit our page here for the published rules on how to do so:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

Thanks and I hope this can provide some clarity for those wishing to take their firearms in their travels.

WestTSA Blog Team

July 7, 2013 at 11:04 AM

......................

Just curious, TSA claims that any found firearm is turned over to local PD for custody and investigation. So how is it that TSA has access to these weapons for the social media pictures TSA is wasting taxpayers money on?

Second point, what is the budget for all of TSA's blogging, social media, and other non-security function activities?

Seems like the American taxpayer is being taken advantaged of by TSA when sequestration cut backs are being taken all across government. How can TSA justify the expense of government employees, government computers systems, and all of the time wasted on social media? Aren't screening operations more important?

"To the critics: opposition is always a sign you're on the right track."

This is a logical fallacy, and one so easy to debunk as well. For instance, I say the TSA is security theater. Your opposition to that view would mean, by your logic, that I am on the right track with my view. Clearly you do not mean to say this, so, the above statement is false. (And even if you agree with me, the statement is still false. Opposition means squat.)

1) Incorrect: TSA is on the right track due to the critics opposition.

2) "Security Theater"....really!?! Come up with an original thought.

3) The prohibited items on this site highlight the public finds by TSA. What most critics ignore is the obviouis deterrent effect TSA has on acts of terrorism. No succesful attacks since 9/11 speaks for itself.

Anonymous said...What most critics ignore is the obviouis deterrent effect TSA has on acts of terrorism. No succesful attacks since 9/11 speaks for itself.

I, as most Americans, agree.

July 9, 2013 at 8:15 AM------------------------------

The TSA is similar to my "tiger repellent rock". Ever since I've started carrying it, I haven't seen any tigers. Therefore it must work. Either that or maybe their aren't tigers or terrorists around every corner like certain agencies want everybody to believe.

What is the point of listing all of the guns you found if none of these people were charged with terrorism related crimes? Keeping guns off of planes is the most basic part of your job. I don't get a press release when I do the bare minimum of tasks at my job.

Can you share newer failure rate information than the "70 percent failure rate for TSA to detect guns and knives passing through airport checkpoints" in http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html ?

If you are still anywhere close to that failure rate, more loaded guns are flying than are being detected.

Hey Bob, are you gonna post about the 2 inch USB flash drive your TSA PR buddies confiscated and are crowing as a "good catch" because this USB flash drive happens to be a novelty flash drive shaped like a tiny 2 inch toy gun?

Check it out and make sure it isn't a cap gun if you wanna, but stealing, er, confiscating it (TSA's wording) was completely unnecessary.

Also, who went home with it? Or was it put in the bin going to the state surplus store? Maybe the actual owner who spent his hard earned money on it in the first place can find it and pay for his own property again, huh? Cuz that's the America the TSA wants, right?

Toy guns are not threats to planes. USB flash drives shaped like 2 inch toy guns are not threats to planes either.

"1) Incorrect: TSA is on the right track due to the critics opposition."

Sorry, you can't have it both ways. Either your opposition to my statements means I am correct, or it doesn't.

"2) "Security Theater"....really!?! Come up with an original thought."

Yes, because that's what it is. It is policies and procedures put in place to make it appear that the government is doing something when, in fact, they do absolutely nothing to enhance security and, some would argue, actually hurt it be taking resources away from the real LEOs out there trying to keep us safe (not that the FBI and others have done much in that regard of late, but they're infinitely more qualified than TSA is in that regard.)

Anonymous said...I find it really hard to understand why anyone would board an airplane with a loaded weapon, round chambered. Do you realize how disastrous it would be if that weapon were to discharge at 34,000 feet and exit through the fuselage much less a hit fellow passenger or a child on board or while in the airport terminal? What are you gun owners thinking? Or not thinking? I respect the right to legally own and carry a weapon. I have a concealed carry permit. I also expect gun owners to be responsible for gun safety. This type of irresponsibility in gun control gives all a black eye.

July 5, 2013 at 11:20 PM

................

If you think a bullet going through the fuselage is going to cause a sudden and massive depressurization sucking things out of the airplane then I suggest you turn off the TV. That is not what happens. A hole even much larger than a bullet would only cause a small loss of cabin pressure. No rush of air, not sucking things out, no big deal.

You don't have to believe me but trust me, I know for a fact what happens. Go ask an aircraft mechanic.

The question was: "Just curious, TSA claims that any found firearm is turned over to local PD for custody and investigation. So how is it that TSA has access to these weapons for the social media pictures TSA is wasting taxpayers money on?"

The answer is: TSA has to keep track of the "ITEMS" found, therfore they need to photograph the "ITEM" for evidence.

I recently read an article about cell phones with stun capability. How will these be handled at the checkpoints? They are working cell phones. So if someone is carrying one of these devices, will there cell phone be confiscated?

RE: NYC Potential cops must have 60 hours from an accredited school of higher ed or 2 years in the armed services and pass an extremely rigorous exam and meet high physical standards. After graduation there is continuing training.

Regarding counter-terrorism, the NYPD has a counter-terrorism unit that is the equal of almost anything the US government can offer.

Failure to post this comment which meets this blog's TOS will result in a complaint being filed with the DHS OIG. And, of course, I've made a screen shot.

"Real" LEOs do not have the high level of education, training, and experience TSA Officers do; especially as it pertains to TSAs counter-terrorism mission.

So, tell my what high level of education is required of an entry-level TSAgent, and what highly specialized counter-terrorism training do they receive? Education requirement, high-school diploma or GED. Training provided, way too little time in a classroom learning procedures they can't even follow once they hit the floor.

Another TSAnonymous said...

"TSA is a deterrent to terrorist planning attacks"

No, they aren't. See, I have this rock that is a deterrent to tiger attacks. Since getting it, I've never been attacked by a tiger. And before you say "tigers are rare in your neighborhood," I live in central Ohio. With the exotic animal incidents we've had in the past, tigers are less rare here than terrorists are ;)

Anonymous said...TSA is a deterrent to terrorist planning attacks. The idiots who bring guns to the checkpoint either can't read signs or simply go through life oblivious. TSA can't prevent stupid.

"TSA security is a joke since no one who works at the airport is screened."

Based on what evidence? Airport workers are routinely screened.

Next time you fly, take time and thank a TSA Officer. They deserve it.

July 10, 2013 at 11:08 PM.....................

Based on what evidence? How about sitting for a couple of hours on numerous occasions watching airport workers streaming through employee access doors without any screening of any kind. Airport workers entering with multiple 2 liter bottles of beverages, suitcases, and all manner of things with ZERO screening. Airport employees not properly scanning their card and walking in right behind the person in front of them.

If airport employees are not screened 100% of the time then nothing else TSA is doing is worth the effort.

The airport security HOLE is big enough to drive a 777 through.

TSA is not a deterrent and I agree TSA can't prevent stupid, just watch TSA employees for proof.

RB sez - "Just curious, TSA claims that any found firearm is turned over to local PD for custody and investigation. So how is it that TSA has access to these weapons for the social media pictures TSA is wasting taxpayers money on?"

That is actually a fairly simple answer, prior to taking the firearm from the area it is discovered, they simply lay it out for documentation (pictures). Our local LEOs at GSO do this anytime we have a firearm encounter - the TSO never even has to touch the firearm, as the LEO is tasked with it. Sorry, I missed this response earlier.

GSOLTSO said...RB sez - "Just curious, TSA claims that any found firearm is turned over to local PD for custody and investigation. So how is it that TSA has access to these weapons for the social media pictures TSA is wasting taxpayers money on?"

That is actually a fairly simple answer, prior to taking the firearm from the area it is discovered, they simply lay it out for documentation (pictures). Our local LEOs at GSO do this anytime we have a firearm encounter - the TSO never even has to touch the firearm, as the LEO is tasked with it. Sorry, I missed this response earlier.

WestTSA Blog Team

July 15, 2013 at 10:56 AM.............................

You failed to address the remaining parts of my questions.

Want to try for a little honesty or are you just gonna cherry pick? **********Second point, what is the budget for all of TSA's blogging, social media, and other non-security function activities?

Seems like the American taxpayer is being taken advantaged of by TSA when sequestration cut backs are being taken all across government. How can TSA justify the expense of government employees, government computers systems, and all of the time wasted on social media? Aren't screening operations more important?

Nooo, that's not real is it? you must be joking man! pistol on a plane? you mean people in the US are really going to board an airplane with a pistol? and why? what need would have to have it on a plane? are you going to shot something? what makes this even more incredible, is why would someone have a pistol in the first place? why, why at home, why in the garage, why in the work place? that is a non sense life.